B-roll (David Pulido)

David Pulido has always liked to play with electronics, build things and fix them. He even helped his Oxnard High School Robotics Club build a robot for the robotics team’s first national competition this year.

The robot can pick up 12-inch diameter rubber balls and place them on shelves at a variety of heights and close the hatch panels so they won’t fall out.

“It’s very agile, very fast and we’re extremely proud of it,” David said.

Electrical engineering seemed like the perfect choice for his college major.

“It had everything I was looking for and was going to be the best of everything that I would ever want,” David said.

The high school senior’s dream got an unexpected boost at school recently when he was presented with a $40,000 Edison Scholars scholarship.

“The scholarship recognizes the talent and tenacity of 30 students annually,” said Chris Thompson, vice president of Local Public Affairs for Southern California Edison, in presenting the scholarship. “We hope this scholarship will help you pursue your dreams — and maybe you’ll come back and work for us someday.”

Every year, Edison International, SCE’s parent company, awards 30 high school seniors in its service area $40,000 scholarships paid over four years to help them pursue their studies in science, technology, engineering or math. Including this year’s scholars, Edison has given $9.9 million in scholarships to 640 students since 2006.

To qualify, the recipients must have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA, show financial need and plan to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) at a four-year accredited college or university.

“Forty thousand dollars means so much,” David said. “It’s an opportunity to continue with my education and not have to worry about the financial aspect as much.”

So far, he has been accepted to eight colleges and hopes to attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor because of the school’s strong electrical engineering program.

David said the scholarship is a way for him to give back to his family for their love and everything they have done for him.

“They are my rock in every sense,” said David, whose parents were in class for the surprise presentation. “They are always encouraging me to pursue my passions and my dreams.”

Dreams of college haven’t, however, stopped his electrical curiosity. He currently is working on a portable air sensor based on Bluetooth technology and the coding language he learned for a micro-controller and some parts he got on Amazon.

And the 17-year-old’s dreams don’t stop with college.

“In 10 years, I can see myself working for a corporation or perhaps on my own and doing what I want to do, which is working on microelectronics, shrinking down existing technology and improving the world and everyone in it,” he said.

The Edison Scholars Program is funded by Edison International shareholder dollars, not ratepayer dollars.

For more information about STEM internships and careers at SCE, visit: edisoncareers.com.